Support Double
A nice way of showing exactly 3 card support for responder’s major after opponent overcall
Standard Case
| West ♠ KT ♥ AJ8 ♦ K97 ♣ QT963 |
East ♠ 65 ♥ KQ952 ♦A852 ♣ KJ |
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♣ | - | 1♥1 | 1♠ |
| Double2 |
1 4+ ♥s
2 exactly 3♥s. Any ♥ bid would show 4+♥s. Any bid other than ♥s or double (including pass) denies 3 card support
Support Redouble
same hands as above
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♣ | - | 1♥1 | Double |
| Redouble2 |
1 4+ ♥s
2 exactly 3♥s
Support Double after opponents both bid suits
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♣ | 1♦ | 1♥1 | 1♠ OR 2♦ |
| Double2 |
1 4+ ♥s. Note, double can not be relied upon as a way to show 4♥s as it would require spades as well, so 1♥ must be kept available to show 4+♥s (rather than 5+♥s)
2 exactly 3♥s
System Off over 1NT
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1♣ | - | 1♥1 | 1NT2 |
| Double3 |
1 4+ ♥s
2 strong
3 not a support double if the 1NT is strong. A support double would risk landing in 2♥ with a 4-3 ♥ fit after South has advertised strength with a ♥ stopper. The chances of a 4♥ game is also now remote and so this bid is better used for penalties. Theoretically the system could be on over a weak NT, but applying the Principle of Parsimony, play system off in all cases.
Example Hands
Support Redouble
Incorrect Raise (Missed Support Redouble)
North’s 2♥ incorrectly shows exactly 4♥s. Redouble would show 3♥s. South now wrongly supposes an 8 card ♥ fit has been found.